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chann 214, obsolete receiver message

I tune to channel 214 and get the message, "your receiver is obsolete and will soon need to be replaced, please call dtv" etc etc. I know my receiver is old, like from the year 2000, but when can I expect it to no longer work? Pretty sure its an RCA box w/ no rec. id, just a card id. If they are replacing it/upgrading it/ what can i expect are my FREE options for upgrade, as I do have a couple of these receviers still on my account (3 I think). And will the 'replacement' be an HD or SD recvr, an will it be a leased box? I'm assuming a lease since DTV doenst do 'owned' anymore.

If you have been a customer since 2000, I expect you will get upgraded for free. If you threaten to cancel, most likely you could get not only HD receivers, but some free programming and discounts for a period of time.

The "Master Program Guide" (MPG) those older boxes rely upon to operate is soon to be discontinued and removed from the satellite stream causing these boxes to cease functioning.

You should be upgraded with free D12 SD receivers in a "like-for-like" exchange program setup for this issue. However, if you use this opportunity to upgrade to something more like HD equipment (a "non-like" exchange) there will be a cost of course unless you can arrange for a deal or some other.

Don't need the Dish upgrade. Have 1 HD DVR already, as well as an old SD Tivo, plus these 3 RCA's. HD 5-LNB slimline (although in the DC Market, you only need the 3-LNB), w/ a Zinwell multiswitch. I guess i'll letcha know what happens w/ the "upgrade".

Oh no, this is not good news. I have one of those old RCA receivers in my motorhome. I only activate it every once in a great while when I take the motorhome out.

This means I'll need to replace that receiver, and as far as I know, the satellite system in that motorhome only works with old receivers (it connects with a phone cord to communicate with the receiver so it can automatically rotate the dish to find the satellite).

Oh no, this is not good news. I have one of those old RCA receivers in my motorhome. I only activate it every once in a great while when I take the motorhome out.

This means I'll need to replace that receiver, and as far as I know, the satellite system in that motorhome only works with old receivers (it connects with a phone cord to communicate with the receiver so it can automatically rotate the dish to find the satellite).

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Contact the manufacture of your dish to find out if they have an adapter to work with newer receivers for your dish. They will try and push newer dish on you but if you push back enough they should relent and give you the infformation.

What does pushing everyone to Genies have to do with moving to MPEG4? Only SD equipment would be affected by that, all the HD receivers/DVRs do MPEG4. Someone with only HD receivers and DVRs, even old stuff like H20/HR20, wouldn't even notice if all MPEG2 channels were converted to MPEG4 tomorrow.

What does pushing everyone to Genies have to do with moving to MPEG4? Only SD equipment would be affected by that, all the HD receivers/DVRs do MPEG4. Someone with only HD receivers and DVRs, even old stuff like H20/HR20, wouldn't even notice if all MPEG2 channels were converted to MPEG4 tomorrow.

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I didn't put it in detail, but that was my point push all non MPEG4 people to genies. Genies is what Directv wants to install over anything else when possible for everyone. Thats the only reason I mentioned genies. It will be a long process regardless to phase out all non mpeg4 capable boxes..

You get a reconditioned D12 SD receiver. There is no commitment (or extension of an existing one). There is no charge of any kind. The new receiver is leased so forget about activating and deactivating it periodically. If you deactivate it, they will want it back.

One thing to remember-be sure you INSIST on what they refer to as an "MPG swap". An uninformed CSR tried to explain to me that there would be a charge and commitment until I explained that I wanted an MPG swap which they grudgingly looked up. After you complete the transaction but before you activate the replacement receiver check on the website under "orders" and BE SURE it says "MPG Swap".

I've got an OLD Phillips I think it is a dr430, that I have had since 2002. It was the first D RX I ever bought and the darn thing works just great, can't seem to kill it. When it does finally die, or D decides it is too old i'll just get another genie mini and finally be able to get rid of my 2nd dish. LOL

I've got an OLD Phillips I think it is a dr430, that I have had since 2002. It was the first D RX I ever bought and the darn thing works just great, can't seem to kill it. When it does finally die, or D decides it is too old i'll just get another genie mini and finally be able to get rid of my 2nd dish. LOL

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Or just call and see if they upgrade you for free for that unit, since it sounds like you want to anyway.